Odds On: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Novel by Michael Crichton}} |
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{{about||the 1928 Australian silent film|Odds On (film)}} |
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{{Infobox book | <!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels]] or [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Books]] --> |
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'''''Odds On''''' is [[Michael Crichton]]'s [[first published novel]].<ref>{{ |
'''''Odds On''''' is [[Michael Crichton]]'s [[first published novel]].<ref name="Musing on Michael Crichton">{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Marla|title=Odds On|url=http://www.musingsonmichaelcrichton.com/2009/01/odds-on.html}}</ref> It was released in 1966 under the pseudonym of John Lange. It is a short 215-page paperback novel. [[Hard Case Crime]] republished the novel under Crichton's name on November 19, 2013. Prior to the reissue, copies were rare and hard to find.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hard Case Crime to Publish Early Crichton Thrillers |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/59350-hard-case-crime-to-publish-early-crichton-thrillers.html}}</ref> Since then even the reissue is becoming scarce, with few copies available on sources such as bookfinder or ebay. |
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<ref>{{Cite web |title=BookFinder.com: Search Results |url=https://www.bookfinder.com/search/?ac=sl&st=sl&ref=bf_s2_a1_t1_1&qi=ZphnkMdGYNJpDtuxCa24NgDwKeA_1678810902_1:1:4&bq=author=john%2520lange%2520michael%2520crichton&title=odds%2520on |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=www.bookfinder.com}}</ref> |
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==Plot summary== |
==Plot summary== |
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It describes an attempt of robbery in an isolated hotel on [[Costa Brava]]. The robbery is planned with the help of a [[Critical path method|Critical Path Analysis]] computer program, but unforeseen events get in the way. |
It describes an attempt of [[robbery]] in an isolated hotel on [[Costa Brava]]. The robbery is planned with the help of a [[Critical path method|Critical Path Analysis]] computer program, but unforeseen events get in the way. |
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The three Americans needed cover, as lone men stood out. So each decided he would pick up a girl, and mingle with the crowd. |
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===The women=== |
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* Annette was a working girl who did her best work after hours. |
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* Cynthia was [[nymphomaniac]] who liked [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] and men—often together. |
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* Jenny was a rich girl who wanted to be [[Swinging (sexual practice)|loved for her body]]. |
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The women were irrelevant, as the men's real interest was the hotel's safe, which would net them a million dollars in [[Jewellery|jewels]], [[money|cash]], and [[Traveller's cheque|traveler's checks]]. The crime was brilliantly conceived. It was masterminded by a modern computer. But when they forgot the biggest risk of all—the women, and [[Sexual intercourse|sex]].<ref name="Musing on Michael Crichton"/> |
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==Structure and format== |
==Structure and format== |
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As in many other Crichton novels the chapters are named by date as in a diary, rather than by number or other content. In this particular novel the chapters reflect the total timespan, the ticking clock, of the plot as a whole. The fifteen chapters begins with ''Saturday, June Fourteenth'', and ending with ''Afternoon, June Twenty-Second''. The timespan of the story is just a little more than a week, which is yet another similarity to |
As in many other Crichton novels the chapters are named by date as in a diary, rather than by number or other content. In this particular novel the chapters reflect the total timespan, the ticking clock, of the plot as a whole. The fifteen chapters begins with ''Saturday, June Fourteenth'', and ending with ''Afternoon, June Twenty-Second''. The timespan of the story is just a little more than a week, which is yet another similarity to Crichton's later novels.<ref name="Musing on Michael Crichton"/> |
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Being his first book, it also contains some of Crichton's 'trademarks' for the first time. Among other things, Crichton started his tradition of beginning his novels with quotes: |
Being his first book, it also contains some of Crichton's 'trademarks' for the first time. Among other things, Crichton started his tradition of beginning his novels with quotes: |
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:''"There are three kinds of lies: [[lies, damned lies, and statistics]]. |
:''"There are three kinds of lies: [[lies, damned lies, and statistics]]."'' |
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:'' – [[Benjamin Disraeli]]'' |
:'' – [[Benjamin Disraeli]]'' |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Crichton wrote the book in 1965 while a student at [[Harvard Medical School]]. He sent it to Doubleday for consideration under the name "John Lange". A reader at Doubleday loved the book but thought it was "too saucy" for that company, so sent it on to a friend at [[New American Library]].<ref>The versatile Crichton |
Crichton wrote the book in 1965 while a student at [[Harvard Medical School]]. He sent it to Doubleday for consideration under the name "John Lange". A reader at Doubleday loved the book but thought it was "too saucy" for that company, so sent it on to a friend at [[New American Library]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Seligson, Marcia. |date=June 8, 1969 |title=The versatile Crichton |page=k6 |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> |
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Seligson, Marcia. Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file) [Chicago, Ill] 08 June 1969: k6.</ref> |
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Crichton used the name John Lange because at this stage he planned to be a doctor and did not want his patients worried he would use them for his plots. The name came from a fairy tale writer called [[Andrew Lang]]; Crichton added an "e" and substituted his own real first name, John, for Andrew.<ref>Michael Crichton (rhymes with frighten): Michael Crichton |
Crichton used the name John Lange because at this stage he planned to be a doctor and did not want his patients worried he would use them for his plots. The name came from a fairy tale writer called [[Andrew Lang]]; Crichton added an "e" and substituted his own real first name, John, for Andrew.<ref>{{Cite news |last=ISRAEL SHENKER |date=June 8, 1969 |title=Michael Crichton (rhymes with frighten): Michael Crichton |page=BR5 |work=New York Times}}</ref> |
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By ISRAEL SHENKER. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 08 June 1969: BR5</ref> |
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==Proposed adaptation== |
==Proposed adaptation== |
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In 1969, around the time film rights were bought for Crichton's ''[[The Andromeda Strain]]'', independent producer Sam Roy bought the film rights to ''Odds On''.<ref>No Gap Like the Generation Gap |
In 1969, around the time film rights were bought for Crichton's ''[[The Andromeda Strain]]'', independent producer Sam Roy bought the film rights to ''Odds On''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=A. H. WEILER |date=July 6, 1969 |title=No Gap Like the Generation Gap |page=D11 |work=New York Times}}</ref> However, no movie was made. |
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By A. H. WEILER. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 06 July 1969: D11.</ref> However, no movie was made. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Novels by Michael Crichton]] |
[[Category:Novels by Michael Crichton]] |
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[[Category:1966 American novels]] |
[[Category:1966 American novels]] |
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[[Category:Works published under a pseudonym]] |
[[Category:Works published under a pseudonym]] |
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[[Category:Novels set in Spain]] |
[[Category:Novels set in Spain]] |
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[[Category:Novels set in hotels]] |
[[Category:Novels set in hotels]] |
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[[Category:Signet Books books]] |
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{{1960s-novel-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 03:09, 26 November 2023
 First edition cover | |
| Author | John Lange |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Signet Books |
Publication date | 1966 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 215 |
| LC Class | PS3553.R48 |
| Followed by | Scratch One |
Odds On is Michael Crichton's first published novel.[1] It was released in 1966 under the pseudonym of John Lange. It is a short 215-page paperback novel. Hard Case Crime republished the novel under Crichton's name on November 19, 2013. Prior to the reissue, copies were rare and hard to find.[2] Since then even the reissue is becoming scarce, with few copies available on sources such as bookfinder or ebay. [3]
Plot summary
[edit]It describes an attempt of robbery in an isolated hotel on Costa Brava. The robbery is planned with the help of a Critical Path Analysis computer program, but unforeseen events get in the way.
The three Americans needed cover, as lone men stood out. So each decided he would pick up a girl, and mingle with the crowd.
The women
[edit]- Annette was a working girl who did her best work after hours.
- Cynthia was nymphomaniac who liked marijuana and men—often together.
- Jenny was a rich girl who wanted to be loved for her body.
The women were irrelevant, as the men's real interest was the hotel's safe, which would net them a million dollars in jewels, cash, and traveler's checks. The crime was brilliantly conceived. It was masterminded by a modern computer. But when they forgot the biggest risk of all—the women, and sex.[1]
Structure and format
[edit]As in many other Crichton novels the chapters are named by date as in a diary, rather than by number or other content. In this particular novel the chapters reflect the total timespan, the ticking clock, of the plot as a whole. The fifteen chapters begins with Saturday, June Fourteenth, and ending with Afternoon, June Twenty-Second. The timespan of the story is just a little more than a week, which is yet another similarity to Crichton's later novels.[1]
Being his first book, it also contains some of Crichton's 'trademarks' for the first time. Among other things, Crichton started his tradition of beginning his novels with quotes:
- "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."
- – Benjamin Disraeli
Background
[edit]Crichton wrote the book in 1965 while a student at Harvard Medical School. He sent it to Doubleday for consideration under the name "John Lange". A reader at Doubleday loved the book but thought it was "too saucy" for that company, so sent it on to a friend at New American Library.[4]
Crichton used the name John Lange because at this stage he planned to be a doctor and did not want his patients worried he would use them for his plots. The name came from a fairy tale writer called Andrew Lang; Crichton added an "e" and substituted his own real first name, John, for Andrew.[5]
Proposed adaptation
[edit]In 1969, around the time film rights were bought for Crichton's The Andromeda Strain, independent producer Sam Roy bought the film rights to Odds On.[6] However, no movie was made.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Warren, Marla. "Odds On".
- ^ "Hard Case Crime to Publish Early Crichton Thrillers".
- ^ "BookFinder.com: Search Results". www.bookfinder.com. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ Seligson, Marcia. (June 8, 1969). "The versatile Crichton". Chicago Tribune. p. k6.
- ^ ISRAEL SHENKER (June 8, 1969). "Michael Crichton (rhymes with frighten): Michael Crichton". New York Times. p. BR5.
- ^ A. H. WEILER (July 6, 1969). "No Gap Like the Generation Gap". New York Times. p. D11.